Boating Knowledge Base

Have a sailing question? Access NauticEd’s sailing and boating knowledge base, and gain in-depth answers to your sailing questions. If you’re interested in powerboating, visit our new powerboating blog.

Magnetic field lines around a bar magnet, illustrating north and south poles with curved lines of force.

Magnetism

We begin with a phenomenon called magnetism. This phenomenon was known thousands of years before electricity. Magnetism was discovered...
October 16, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Two sailboats with conical shapes on the ocean, indicating vessels under power, sailing in clear weather.

Motor Sailing

If the wind is light and your time is short you might want to consider motor-sailing—using your auxiliary engine...
October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of a Yanmar marine diesel engine with labeled parts: fuel filter, coolant filler cap, oil dip stick, belt, water pump.

Sailboat Diesel Engine Operation

As noted earlier, diesel engines are sturdy and highly reliable, and operating them today is straightforward.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Father and child repairing sailboat deck on a sunny day near lush green shorelines.

Plumbing and Tankage – Getting Familiar with a Charter Boat

A diaphragm pump below directs flow from the water tank(s) to various faucets throughout the boat. You'll always begin a charter with full water tanks but understand that water conservation is still required.
April 4, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Dock Line Release

Have a dock line untying plan based on the wind and the current direction and then communicate this to the crew. Depending on which is stronger...
October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Nautical chart symbols for rocks, wrecks, and obstructions, detailing dangers and depths for safe navigation.

Chart Symbols

Studying a harbor layout does very little good without understanding the symbols and what they signify. It pays to
October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Torqeedo Power 48-5000 lithium battery for electric sailboats, dimensions: 23x10x8.6 (577.5x253x218 mm).

Available Energy Stored in a Battery

You don’t actually run all of the electron charge out of a battery when it is considered empty.
April 13, 2024/by Grant Headifen

Mooring a Sailboat

Mooring a vessel means attaching it to a float that is firmly and permanently anchored to the sea bottom.
October 14, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Sailboat Battery Usage

Batteries are a vessel’s major source of power for many essential functions both when in the slip and while sailing.
October 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat gliding on calm sea during a vibrant sunset, highlighting the beauty of sailing at dusk.

Vessel Lights and Shapes

Nighttime can be a beautiful time to sail. However, night vision is not the same as day vision and so rules have been established to ensure safety.
October 12, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Map showing tanker ship positions and details, including Marida Patea, with color-coded directional arrows.

Risk of Collision when Sailing

The Rule of Risk of Collision is that every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances...
August 26, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Father and daughter enjoying sailing, adjusting ropes on a sunny day at sea.

Kids on a Sailing Charter

If you're considering a charter and considering taking your kids - DO IT.
April 3, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Blue sailing life vest featuring durable straps and a cartoon logo. Ideal for safety and buoyancy on the water.

Personal Flotation Devices

The terms “life jacket” and “PFD” are interchangeable, with the latter used in the USA and the former used in most of the rest of the world.
October 17, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailboats navigating a marina with wind direction marked, illustrating docking techniques and boat maneuvering strategies.

Dock Slips Docking Techniques

Wind coming into the dock slip channel and your boat is to be docked stern-to, steer into the slip channel...
June 3, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Sailboats cruising on open sea under clear skies, showcasing vibrant sails and sleek designs.

Sailboats vs Sailboats Nav Rules

Sailboats On The Same Tack The Rule 12 a(ii) when both have the wind on the same...
August 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Comparison of masthead and fractional rig sailboats with labeled diagrams showing sail positions.

Mast Head and Fractional Rigging

There are two variations on the standing rigging set up: Masthead and Fractional. On masthead rigs, the attachment point for the sidestays (shrouds), forestay, and backstay (if they exist) is at the top of the mast.
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Vessels in Restricted Visibility

What is the safe speed at night, in fog? As safe as it needs to be under good seamanship.
August 28, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Navigation Tools

No matter the chart in use, the navigator’s work largely involves the determination of direction and distances. The most useful tools for actual chart work are...
October 25, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Sailing to a mooring ball at 60 degrees off the wind

Sailing to a Mooring Ball

Sailing up to a mooring ball is an advanced skill. It will definitely prove your finesse for handling the boat and managing the crew.
September 29, 2024/by Grant Headifen
Sailboat engine cooling system diagram showing fluid flow through heat exchanger and pumps.

Diesel Raw-Water System

Raw-water means that the water is straight from outside the boat. It might be seawater - it might be
October 15, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram of aerodynamic forces on an airfoil and sail, showing lift, drag, and pressure differences for sailing dynamics.

Sailing and Wind Forces

A sailboat moves in upwind and downwind directions. Downwind is intuitive; it just gets blown downwind. But just how does a sailboat move into the wind?
October 24, 2023/by Grant Headifen

Electronic Navigation

We are well into the 21st century. Chances are that within 30 feet (10 meters) of you right now there are 2-3 GPS-enabled potentially lifesaving devices...
October 20, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Satellite image of a swirling hurricane over the Atlantic, approaching the southeastern coast of the USA.

Understanding Weather Systems

Weather is a highly complex natural phenomenon. Globally, it is all connected and operates on a multitude of physical laws.
October 19, 2023/by Grant Headifen
Diagram illustrating catamaran maneuvering with throttle controls, spring line, and wind effect in docking scenarios.

Catamaran Maneuvering Mastery

As now learned, Cats can turn inside their own length, they can vector sideways, and using the bulldozer effect you can instantly rotate the Cat to point in any direction, you can do almost anything.
June 1, 2025/by Grant Headifen

Last updated on December 6th, 2024